AC Milan saw off Genoa 2-1 despite being outplayed this evening at Stadio Luigi Ferraris this evening in Serie A.
Adel Taarabt’s third goal of the season and Keisuke Honda’s first Serie A goal were enough to see a clinical Milan to move within five points of fifth placed Inter and revive faint hopes of reaching the Europa League. A Christian Abbiati own goal reduced arrears to produce a nervy finish in a highly entertaining game.
The Rossoneri came into the game seeking to win their third game in succession for the first time this season while the Rossoblu were looking to bounce back from their capitulation against Hellas Verona.
The game started at a high tempo, reflecting the vociferous support coming from the stands, as both sides pressed and neither team had time on the ball.
After twenty minutes the Rossoneri struck with their first effort on goal. Taarabt charged forward after picking the the ball up from Kaka before firing a low strike into the far corner from just outside of the box that left Mattia Perin with no chance.
Genoa lifted their game after going behind by putting more pressure on the Rossoneri defenders but they failed to create any clear openings and test Christian Abbiati in the Milan goal.
Andrea Bertolacci came within inches of equalising but his effort fizzed inches wide of Abbiati’s far post as the hosts began to have a spell of dominance as half time drew near. Philippe Mexes then very nearly put the ball in his own net as his headed clearance flew uncomfortably close past the near post.
The hosts began the second half brightly and continued to pile the pressure on Milan as Abbiati saved from Ioannis Fetfatzidis before Sebastien De Maio wasted a good opportunity to level the scores.
However, just like the first half, the Rossoneri scored with their first attack of the half. Taarabt played the played through to Honda who managed to evade a lunging tackle before deftly chipping calmly past the onrushing Perin from outside the area into the corner of the net.
The Grifone immediately put Milan under pressure once again and panic ensued in the Rossoneri box before Marco Motta fired straight at Abbiati. Alberto Gilardino was next to waste a headed chance from inside the box.
Finally Genoa’s pressure would tell with just under twenty minutes to play. Fetfatzidis played a deep corner that reached Motta who hit a fantastic half volley off the post and went in off the unfortunate Abbiati.
Almost immediately afterwards Abbiati pulled off a stunning save to deny Stefano Sturaro and Philippe Mexes cleared an effort off the line as Milan looked incapable of handling Genoa.
Genoa continued to waste chance after chance as the Rossoneri sat deeper and continued to soak up pressure to eventually claim what could be a vital win come the end of the season.
